Clotting Diseases In Dogs

What Are Canine Clotting Diseases

Clotting diseases in dogs can present as a life-threatening emergency if not carefully monitored or treated. Knowing the signs and treatments of canine clotting diseases can help keep your dog happy and healthy.

Clotting disease in dogs occurs when there is a problem either involving the chemicals that create the clotting pathway or with the materials that cause clotting. In a normal, healthy dog, when a cut or scrape happens, chemicals in the blood are released, telling the body to begin clotting in the area. The clotting materials then create a sort of web over the wound to prevent the escape of blood and fluids from veins and arteries and to prevent bacteria and other pathogens from entering the bloodstream.

Canine clotting problems occur when there is either a disease, such as a genetic abnormality that prevents clotting, or an acquired problem, such as ingestion of poison that prevents clotting. These problems either destroy the clotting materials needed to stop bleeding or prevent chemicals from being transmitted properly to start the clotting pathway.

Many breeds, such as Doberman Pinschers, are prone to genetic clotting disorders, such as von Willebrand’s disease or hemophilia. However, any dog can have a clotting disorder if there are diseases that cause a nutrient deficiency in the body or if a dog has ingested a toxin, such as a rat poison, which can stop clotting.

How Can I Prevent Canine Clotting Disorders

Genetic clotting disorders are not easily preventable. However, its incidence can be reduced through careful selection and breeding of parents, especially of breeds prone to a clotting disease. Selecting animals that do not have a history of a bleeding disorder or removing those animals from the breeding pool that can prevent puppies from being born with the disease.

Preventing acquired clotting disorders can be easier. If there are known toxins in the environment, such as rat poison or other similar poisons, care should be taken to remove those products safely or prevent your dog from ingesting them. Many of these products are designed to be very palatable, so dogs and other animals are drawn to them. If you are in an area where you suspect there may be a toxin, carefully searching and removing items prior to allowing your dog access can prevent a potentially deadly outcome.

What Should I Do If I Suspect My Dog With a Clotting Problem

If you suspect your dog has a genetic clotting problem, making an appointment with your vet for further testing is recommended. However, if you suspect your dog has eaten a toxin that could cause clotting problems or is actively bleeding without clotting, it is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. It is necessary to bring your dog to the vet or to an emergency clinic.

Many clotting tests can help you find out the clotting problem affecting the life of your furry friend. Some problems may be cured with medications or blood infusion to help clotting factors flow back into the bloodstream. More serious disorders may instead require careful monitoring and diligence of pet owners to ensure their dog does not get a cut or scrape that could cause bleeding. Dogs with severe disorders may need to avoid dangerous activities, surgeries, and other treatments.

For dogs that have ingested a toxin, many treatments include fluid therapy, blood transfusion, or treatment with medications that improve clotting to help prevent damage to the body and internal organs. These dogs will often have to be hospitalized and monitored for a few days to ensure there is no unseen damage to the body caused by the poison.

Natural Remedies for Treating Clotting Diseases in Dogs

Some natural remedies are available that may help prevent clotting issues. However, many of these remedies can alter the chemical and blood balance in the body, so you should inform the vet about any such alternative therapies so that adjustments to regular medications and fluid therapies can be done to prevent any damage to the heart.

Deficiency in certain nutrients may cause clotting problems as they are needed to create the clotting materials or pathway. These nutrients include calcium and vitamin K. Some illnesses will leech these nutrients out of the body, so supplementation or a good diet can help keep them in balance. CrotalusHorr 30C is a homeopathic treatment that may also help in internal clotting problems.